News

What: NBA legend and successful entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be in Portland Monday, March 19, 2007, to give the keynote address at PSU’s 2007 Simon Benson Awards dinner. Named after one of Oregon’s first philanthropists, the Simon Benson Award recognizes individuals in the community who are visionaries and have generously given time and/or money to support the lives of generations of Oregonians. This year’s recipients are Sharon and Robert Miller and Jane and Robert Morrow.

Johnson and PSU President Daniel O. Bernstine will be available for a 15-minute press opportunity at 7:15 p.m. Media will need to check-in at the Oregon Convention Center by 7 p.m. and must present valid credentials in order to enter the press room. Members of the media wishing to attend the press availability must contact PSU’s Office of University Communications at 503-725-8789 by 3 p.m. on Monday, March 19.

When: Monday, March 19, 2007, reception at 6 p.m., dinner starts at 7 p.m. Press opportunity at 7:15 p.m. Awards ceremony at 7:45 p.m. Magic Johnson’s speech at 8:15 (no videotaping of speech; photos okay for first five minutes only).

Where: Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, Ore.).

Cost: Tickets start at $250 and are available to the public by calling Meg Chuprevich at 503-725-8212.

Contact: Members of the media wishing to attend the dinner or press conference must contact Portland State’s Office of University Communications at 503-725-8789 or 503-807-7503 by Monday, March 19 at 3 p.m.

Background: The event is presented by Wells Fargo, the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Jim Pattison. Other sponsors include Rite-Aid Corporation, Gerding/Edlen Development Company, Julie and Peter Stott, the Donald Family Foundation and the Portland Trail Blazers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#07-030)